F1: The Movie – A Full‑Throttle Spectacle

Film: F1 (also marketed as F1: The Movie)
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Release Date: June 27, 2025 (U.S.) – premiered June 16, 2025 at Radio City Music Hall 
Cast: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, Tobias Menzies, Sarah Niles

High-Octane Action, High-Octane Appeal

Joseph Kosinski—fresh off Top Gun: Maverick—brings the same pulse-pounding energy to F1, crafting a visceral cinematic portrait of motorsport. Across iconic circuits from Las Vegas to Abu Dhabi, race sequences are choreographed with precision, employing cockpit cams, high-speed drones, and real-world footage. Reviewers consistently highlight the film’s immersive quality:

• “Racing sequences capture the genuine intensity and danger … generating authentic tension” “Every time the drivers get into their cars … is a hold‑your‑breath moment” 

The choice to retrofit Formula 2 chassis with F1 parts—including Mercedes-supplied components—achieved speeds up to 320 km/h, enabling believable, cost-effective authenticity.

The Characters and Their Arcs

At its emotional core, F1 navigates a time-worn mentor‑mentee narrative:

• Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt): A “washed‑up” former F1 star haunted by a crash, now returns to mentor a rising rookie. Pitt brings gravitas and restraint to Sonny, channeling a mature hero coping with the demons of his past.

• Joshua “Noah” Pearce (Damson Idris): A hotshot rookie whose charisma and raw talent make him a compelling foil to Pitt’s veteran. His dynamic chemistry with Sonny anchors the film.

• Kate McKenna (Kerry Condon): APXGP’s technical director and Sonny’s love interest—her chemistry with Pitt gives the narrative unexpected warmth.

• Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem): A former teammate turned team-owner who ropes Sonny in; reviewed as hardworking though at times one-dimensional.

While performances are praised, critics point to an underdeveloped script:

• Dialogue is described as clichéd and the storyline predictable, especially for viewers familiar with sports dramas.

• The screenplay lacks emotional depth—the film leans heavily on spectacle rather than character-driven storytelling .

Quick Film Reference

What Works

• Visual spectacle: High-speed on-track scenes, cockpit POVs, and drone cinematography deliver thrilling immersion.

• Star power: Brad Pitt’s charisma meets Damson Idris’s breakout freshness, supported by Kerry Condon’s scene-stealing presence.

• Audiovisual score: Hans Zimmer underscores the action with a pulse-raising score, while the soundtrack adds contemporary energy.

• Crafting authenticity: Real F1 involvement—from technical advisors to driver cameos—elevates realism.

• Broad appeal: Reviews from Screen Rant and USA Today note it can engage both racing enthusiasts and casual viewers .

What Doesn’t

• Predictable structure: Cliches of redemption arc and mentor‑mentee storytelling dampen dramatic impact.

• Surface‑level characters: Beyond the leads, supporting roles lack depth and emotional weight.

• Commercial saturation: Product placements are heavy-handed, sometimes feeling like branded billboards.

• Excess length: At nearly 2¾ hours, pacing dips in the second act—some viewers report fatigue.

Final Verdict – Thrilling but Not Transformational

F1: The Movie proves itself an adrenaline-fueled journey best experienced on the biggest screen possible—IMAX. Kosinski and Miranda’s technical mastery captures racing like never before, while Zimmer’s score injects visceral excitement. Brad Pitt’s performance anchors the story, buoyed by Idris’s youthful fire and Condon’s intelligence.

However, the film doesn’t quite break new cinematic ground. It follows established sports‑drama beats—mentor‑meets‑rookie, veteran helps comeback—without the emotional depth of Rush, Ford vs Ferrari, or even Kosinski’s own Top Gun: Maverick. Dialogue and characters follow familiar patterns, which may disappoint viewers seeking narrative innovation.